Power-transmission mechanism.



H. R. HOLMES. POWER mANswgxss'mN MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR.28.191?.

' Patented Dec. 31,1918;

1,289,763.) y `Hms- H r v66? o @T l o f I H. R. HOLMS. POWEK RANSMISSIGN WSECHANISM.

APPLICATKON FILED APRl 28. 19H.

- mmm De@ 31,1918.

hmmm/woz @Mo/1MM H. RpHoLMEs. 'POWER TR'ANSWSSON MECHANKSM.

AFPLICATION FRED APRES. 191?.-

.Eatented Deo. 31, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET, 3.

. H. N. HOLMES.' POWER RANSMlssmN MECHANISM.

t APPLICATION FILED .Win28, 911. jigf; Patented Das. 31, 1918.

t 4 SHEETS-$55514.

T1/manto;

Wil i Pill? CGP? Ul) SFR/MEE@ HABLEIGE! E.. HOLMES, GH? EEENVE, CGLORABV.

Specification of etters atent.

Serial io. 365,176.

lio 'it known that i. i'ixnmcion lt. liomnice, :L citizen ofthe llinited States. residing et the city :intl count); of ienvei' and t'itiiie o'l (lolornilo, here invented certain new :intl useful Improvements in Po'wer-Trnnsniission Mechmiisin; nml l lo {lei-litre the following to be ii full, elettr, and enact description oi the invention, noch. im will enable others skilled in the ort io which it eppoi tnins to molte :intl use the sinne, reference beingr haul 'to the ncconpiinylug ilrnwii :ind to the characters oi reference unirlteil thereon, which form it part of thi spefitit-:ition.

lvl); invention relates to improvements in power transmission meolmnism, being more especially intended for use in connection with :1ntomoliiles, motorcycles, trucks. shafting, transmission reductions anni step-nps, :inrl in muni' other relations where it is necessary or convenient to more the exis; of rotation ot the driving or driven member with respect lo the other member.

In my improved construit-ion. it is poesible to holilthe ili'iring member in :i certain position :nui ehiiugo the iuiis'of rotution of the driven member about it, or to hold the (lr'ven membei in n certain pooition nml change the exis of rotation ot the driving, member within it.

lowii' muy also be nppleil to either one of these members, und in that ense the other member would. of rourse, be the driven membei, in other Words, :is :l broad propoii. tion. the two members mit); be nltcrnzitely employed to perform the driving und ilriven functions.

The invention in this npplif-:ition which is for the most part e. continuation of riy previens application. Serial No. 873345 tiled March 28. 1916, will be described :is applied tothe front wheels of :in automobile, though it must be understood that the mechanism is by no means limited to thin particular use.

Having briefly outlined the invention, :is well us the function it is intended to subserve, I will proceed to describe the sume in (ietail, reference .being made to theacrompany'irgf'-driiwiner in which is illuetrntetl :in embodimentthereof. In this drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation or n front view of the front wheels of en automobile connected by the axle, my improvement being applied. to both of bziitl Wheels.

Fig. L2 is a vertical section taken through the hub oi" one of the wheels to which my improvement is applied, thesection cutting the horizontal exis of the Wheel longituilireilly, the parts beine' shown on a much larger Seele than in ifi-g. l. tion teiten on the line 2-2 Fig. f. Fig', 3 is e, section taken through the hul of one of said wheels, cutting the horizontal exis ot'E the wheel :it right singles. This in a Potente@ Deo, 33;, 11918. ontinuittgri er agipiication Serial o. @731215, filed li'areh 2S, 131e. Thin application led April 28, 1917.

This is a ser Section taken on the line S-BFig. 2 looking,`

toward the right.

Fig. 4, is e horizontal section of' the' hub equipped with my in'iprovement, taken on the line lr- 4 Fig'. 2. l

Fig'. 5 is n sectional view taken through theinner cylindrical lehell of my improve-v ment, shown in connection with the eye or .volte of thefiont axle housing, and also in connection with the turn table through the medium of which the wheel ils turnetion its vertical exis for steering purposes.

Fig. li is zi vertical section taken longitndiniilly through 'n Vertieallv disposed ey# i linilr'eiil member. which when the :tsssembletL in passed through the formed in the top anti Iehown in Fig.

Fig. is a sectional detail View of a locking ring. which when the parts are iisse1nbled, is :ipplieil to the upper portion of the ovlinrler shown in Fig. ii. i

Fig. 8 is :i iletiiil view of the vertically (lisposed driven shaft equipped with Vits pinparts are bottom of the shell ions und also shown in connection vwith the` upper bull bearing structure l Fig. 9 is ii perspective detail View of the turn table member of my improved mechamsm.V The same referente characters indicate the same parts in :ill the views.

`Let the numeral 5 designate the hub of the front wheel offen automobile considered in its entirety. The outer shell 6 of this hub is mounted to rotate on benrin, T balls 7, the shell being provided with cone members 8 which directly engage the bearing billls, while the coperiiting members 9 are threadeil on the opposite ends of the inner Shell 10, the latter being provided with relatively large openings wend 13 formed in the top openings and bottom thereof respectively. Inserted through the bottom opening of this shell is a ring 14 which is horizontally disposed within the cylindrical member as best illustrated in Fig. 5. This ring on two opposite .sides is slghtly cut away from the top downwardly to forni a shoulder which engages the adjacent portions of the shell from below and locks the ring against further upward movement. The turn table member 15 is inserted in the shell t3 and is provided with segmental or rocker shaped parts lt? which engage the curved surfaces of this shell and'close the otherwise open spaces beneath the bottom ol the ring toi-med by the curvature of the shell beneath the horixontally disposed ring. 'l`his ring maintains the turn table member l5 in proper eoiiperative relation with the inner shell. .vhereby duringr the turning of the wheel for steering purposes. the inner shell is eaused to turn and by virtue ot its eonneelion with the outer shell of the hub. turns the latter and consequently the wheel for steering pui'- poses. A crank aiin 1T is secured to one of the segments lli of the turn table member as shown at 18 for steering purposes. this erank arm being connected by means of a rod 19 with the corresponding crank arm ot' the. opposite wheel.

hollow cylinder 30 is positioned within the openings l2 and 1? ot the, inner shell 10A to occupy a vertical position or a position with its axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the wheel. The lower ex'tremitir of this eylinder is provided with an exteiiorly projecting flange 'il having a ball race in its upper surface which cooperates with a oor- `responding race in the lower surface of the ring ll, bearing balls l. being located in the .said races and between the llange 21 and the said ring. Bv virtue of this construction. the inner shell `l() carrying the ring 11 as heretofore explained. is allowed to turn freely while the, cylinder 20 remains stationary during the steering movement of the wheel.

'ithin the bottom or lower extremity of the evlinder '20. is seein-ed a bearing member 22. its upper portion engaging a slight shoulder l on the cylinder. this bearing member being-equippml with-a ring 24. pro vided with ball races which cooperate with races formed in the bearing member Q5 mounted on a vertically disposed shaft or .spindle 2V. bearing balls T being arranged .between the hearingmember of the shaft and the bearing member of the eyliiidei. whereby the shaft lo is allowed to turn freely and with a minimum ot' Jfriction within the cylinder where it is eei..rall v disposed for the proper iwrlormanee of its function as hereinafter stated. The 'upper extremity of the shafty 2li is equipped with a pinion '2T which is secured thereto by means of a key '28.

weones The upper portion ofthe shaft 26 just below the pinion 27 is equipped with a bearing member 29 which is fast thereon and .provided with ball races which cooperate with races formed in a bearing member 30 secured within a main bearing member 31, the latter being applied to and within the upper extremity' of the cylinder 20. Between the bearing members '29 and 31. two sets ot bearing balls 32 are arranged. Below the ball bearing structure just described and secured to theI shaft 2li by means of a key 33, is a pinion 3l which meshes with a similar pinion 35 fast on the inner extremity of the driving shaft 36 of the automobile. .said driving shaft being arranged within a cylindrical housing 3'( within which is secured a bushing 38 by means of fastening rivets 39 (see Fig. 2). rl`he top pinion 27 of the shaf lli is spaced from the bearing member 29 by a short sleeve 7S. the last named been' ing member being also spaced from the gear 34 by a similar sleeve 79; while a spacing sleeve l0 is arranged on the shaft Q6 between the gear 34 and the bearing member 25. The shaft 2G is secured in place and in proper cooperative relation with the mechanism heretofore described. by a nut l1 applied to its lower extremity and screwed tightly1 against the. bearing member Q5.

The inner extremity of the driving shaft il@ spaced from its housing 37 by means ofbeai'ing members l2 and 43. the former being secured to the :shaft and the latter to the housing. two sets of bearing'balls 44 being arranged between the said bearing ineinbers. The inner extremity of the housing El?. merges into a horizontally disposed cylindrical eye. or voke 50 which fits closely around the. verticallyT disposed cylinder 20. this eve on the opposite side frointhe inner extremity ot the shaft 36 being provided with an opening l5 which registers with an opening lli Vformed in the cylinder Q0. the eye or volte being connected with the cylinder by a screw plug l-T (see. Fig. 4l). The.

lower surt'aee of the eye or yoke 50 is prof -vided with a ball raee lo which cooperates with a similar race -lfl formed in the upper snr'laee ot the turn table l5. bearing halls Slibeing arranged between the said eyeor- ,volte and the turn table. liy virtue ol this construction the turn table together with the inner .shell l0. the outer shell (i and, the entire wheel may be turned for steering purposes with a minimum ol friction.

The cylinder 20 is secured in proper eooperative relation with ithe` ring 14. bv means o' a locking ring 52. which is threaded von the upper portion of the Cvlinder above the eye or yoke 30. lt will be. understood that when the structure is'inuse in the relation herein .specifically described. the yohe 50. together with the cylinder `BO'and itsroiinections, will beheld relatively'ste-` attentes tionary during the steering movement of the wheel. As shown in the drawing, the locking ring: is provided at suitable intervals with recesses into one of which a locking device 5l may he inserted. when the ring;n is property adjusted, the opposite end of the locking' device beine; secured to the housing,r flihy means of a stud `bolt 1 The upper portions of the openings in the ends or the inner shell '10. are closed by a cyliiidi'iral member 5ft which is inserted through the top opening l2 of the inner shell and made fast therein, lhearingr yhalls 57 being arranged in `suitable race ways formed in the member 5G and the adjacent upper portion of the cylinder 20, wherebjvv the friction between the structure turned on the vertical axis for steering' purposes, is further reduced. f

i Attention is called to the fact that the ``c vl inder thas a relatively large opening 5Fl directly opposite the opening;n 46. the openu ying-58 being of suiiieient size to make room for the pinion hub The openingolthe outer shell li on the inside and surrounding the inner shell 10.

, is closed a ring 59 whichv surrounds the inner extremitj; ot the shell l0 and is held in place b v a retaining rimz 60. The opening in the outershell 6 is closed on the outside by means of a cover plate 61 which is held in place. by a retaining ring 62. This eover plate is outwardlv curved trom the end of the shell (l (see Fig. 2).

The pinion 27 which is fast. upon the up'per extremitv of the vertically disposed shaft or spindle 26' as heretofore described. meshes with a large gear 72 which is secured to the outer shell fl bv means oi bolts or other suitable devices 63 which as shown in the dra Winn. are passed through the inner bearing member l of the shell. as shown in Fio. 2.

When the structure a front drive for automobiles which Yis the specific use heretofore described. as the shaft 36 is rotated through the medium of the power as an internal combustion engine carried by the nia chine, rotary motion is transmitted to the vertical shalt 2S throngh the medium of the pinions and 34. and since the pinion 2T is also fast on the shaft itil. rotary motion is imparted through the medium of the lai-ge ,gear 72th; the ,wheel (E4. When, however. it ist necessary to turn the wheel on its vertical axis `tor steering l-mrposes, the power through the medium oiithe rod 19 andthe crank Q7. is directly applied to the turn table member l5, whereby the inner shell l0 together with the outer shell 6 zand the entire wheel ronneeted with said shell, are turned on the vertical axis of the wheel, while the shalt 26 and its connections includingthe cvlinder Q0. maintain their normal position with reinerence. to the shaft 36, the housing 39 and the f an axle having a vertical the same advantage as when the plane of the saine is at right angles to the driving shaft, or when the machine is running on a straight; track. This is an important featre ot my improved construction. nother words. the vertical axis of the wheel during the turning movement for steering purposes isy in a central position, and consequently the power is t plied to equal advantage at all times.

iioaving thus described my invention, what l claim iss- 1. Transmission mechanism comprising! a horizontal shell, a hub rotatable aboutsaid shell, a turn table in the bottom of the shell, an axle having a vertical eye mounted on said turntable. a Vvertical hollow pivoting,r member positioning said eye on said turntable, in the hollow pivot. extending through Said shell and having means on its upper end to engage and drive the hub. and drivingr means extending horizontally into said eye to ongnge and drive said vertical driving shaft.

"Itransmission mechanism comprising a horizontal shell.7 a hub rotatable about, said shell, a turntable in the bottom of the shell, eye mounted on said turntable, avertical hollow pivoting member positioning Said eye on said turntable, a vertical driving shaft mounted Within the hollow pivot. extending through said shell and having means on its upperend to engage and drive the hub, and driving means extending horizontally into said eye through said hollow pivoting member to engage and drive said vertical Cirivirnql shaft.

3. Transn'iission mechanism comprising a horizontal shell. a hub rotatable about said shell, a turn table in the bottom of the shell. an axle having a verticle eye'mounted on said turntable, a vertical hollow pivotingr member positioning said eye on said turntable, a vertical drivingshait mounted within tho hollow pivot7 extending; through said shell andy having" means on its upper end to engage and drivethe hub. an-.fl driving means eirtending horizontally into said eye to engage and drive said vertical driving shaft. the pivoting member liningu rotatable with the eve.

-l. 'iransmission mechanism comprising a hub. an aunularly arranged shell positioned within the contines oi the hub7 the hub being' mounted to rotate around the shell, a shaft centrali)Y located with reference to the shell and havingl its axis perpendicular to that of 5. Mechanism of the class' described ineluding an outer shell. an inner annnlarly arranged shell positioned within the contines of said outer shell. the outer shell beingr mounted to rotate around the inner shell.J means for supporting the inner shell within the, outer shell. a shaft centrallyv located with reference to the inner shell and having its axis perpendicular to that of the said shell. means for mounting said shaft within thc inner shell, another shaft. whose axis is perpendicular to that of the first named shaft, and an operative gearing' connection between thc two shafts and between the first. shaft and the outer shell.

(i. Mechanism of the class-described including an outer shell. an inner annularly arranged shell. the outer shell being mounted to rotate around the inner shell. means for supporting the inner shell within the outer shell. a shaft centrally located with reterence to the inner shell and having its axis perpendicular to that of the said shell. means for mounting said shaft within the inner shell, another shaft whose axis is perpendicular to that of the tirs-ty named shaft. and an operative gearing connection between the two shafts and between the first shaftv and the outer shell.

7. A wheel having a hub includingan outer shell and a .shell annularly arranged within and spaced from the outer shelhand a connection between the two shells to allow the outer shell to rotate around the inner shell on the common axis. while the inner shell remains stationary and to allow the two shells to swing' on an axis perpendicular to the normal axis of rotation of the outer shell.

. 8. A wheel having' a hub including` an outer shell, an inner shell annularly-arranged -and spaced from the outer shell to allow the latter to rotate on the common axis while the inner shell remains relatively stationary. a hollow cylinder disposed within the inner shell to cause its axis to occupy a position perpendicular to that csf the two shells. and a connection between the c vlinder and the inner shell to allow the two shells` to swing on the `axis of the cylinder while the latter remains stationary.

9. Mechanism of the class described including an outer cylindrical shell, an inner annularlv arranged shell. a connection between the, two shells to allow the outer shell to rotate on the common axis while the inner shell remains stationar v. a cylinder disposed within the inner shell on an axis perpendicular to that of said shell. a shaft. disposed within the cylinder and having a common axis.mean`s for mounting the shaft within the cylinder to allow the shaft to rotate while the cylinder remainsstationary, an operativeV connection between the shaft and Lasagna the outer shell to cause the latter to rotate on the axis common to the two shells, and means for swinging the two Sliellson the axis of the said shaft. while the shaft and cylinder remain relatively Stationary.

l0. n combination. an outer shell, an inner annnlarly arranged shell', a connection between the two shells to allow the outer shell to rotate on the common axis while the inner shell remains relatively stationary, the inner shell having openings in the top and bottom thereof respectively. a horizont-al ring mounted in andsurrounding the bottom opening of the shell. a turntable arranged above said ring and having` segments fitting the inner curvature of the shell on opposite sides of the ring. a yoke arranged above the turntable. and ine-ans for connecting the cylinder to the vokc to allow the turntable and shell lo swing on the axis of the cylinder while the latter remains stationary.

1i. in combination. an outer shell, an inner shell annularly arranged, a connection between the two shells to allow the outer shell to rotate on the common axis while the inner shell remains stationary, the inne-r shell having openings formed in its top and bot.-

tom respectively. a horizontal ring mounted in and surrounding the bottom opening of the shell. a turntable arranged above said ring and havingr segments fitting the inner curvature of the shell on opposite sides of the ring, a yoke arranged above the turntable, means for connecting the cylinder with the yoke to allow the turntable and shell to swing on the axis of the cylinder while the latter remains stationary. a shaft locatedl within the cylinder and having a common axis. a gearing connection between the said shafty and the outer shell. and a second shaft; whose axis is perpendicular to that of the first named shaft. and an operative gearingV connection between the two shafts.

1Q. Transmission mechanism comprising a.l

horizontal shell. a hub rotatable about; the shell. a turntable in the bottom of the shell. an axle havingr an integral vertical eye pivotally mounted on said turntable and means for retaining it thereon, and vertical driving means within the eye to engage and. rotate the hub. i

1?. Transmission mechanism comprising a horizontal shell. a hub rotatable thereabout, a removable turntable in the bottom of the shell. an axle having: a vertical eye pivotall)r mounted on the turntable. a hollow pivoting` member positioning said eye on said turntable and rotatable with the eye. and vertical driving means within the hollow pivoting member to engage and rotate the hub.

14. Transmission mechanism comprising a.

horizontal shell. a hub rotatable. thereabout,

a removable turntable in the bottom of the shell. an axle having a vertical c ve pivotally inserat a vertical drive shaft mounted within the eye and extending to engage and drive the hub.

16. Transmission mechanism comprising a horizontal shell, a hub rotatable thereabout, a bearing plate inthe bottom' of the Shell, an axle having an integral vertical eye mounted on saidplate and means for retaining it thereon, and vertical driving means within the eye to engage and rotate thehub.

17. A horizontal shell, a hub rotatable thereabout, a turntable mounted Within the shell and rotatable on the bottom thereof, an axle having a vertical eye pivotally mounted on the turntable, and a vertical pivoting ele ment extending through the turntable and through the eye to 18.' A horizontal shell, a hub rotatable thereabout, a turntable mounted within the shell and rotatable on the bottom thereof, an axle having a vertical eye pivotally mounted on the turntable, and a vertical pivoting elementextending through the turntable and through the eye to position the two members, the pivoting element being rotatable With the e e.

y19 dfi-.-horizontal shell, a hub rotatable thereabout, a turntablemounted Wit-hin the vshell and rotatable on the bottom thereof, an

axle having a vertical eye pivotally mountedv on the turntable, and a pivoting member positioning Said eye on the turntable and ro tumble With the eye.

20. A horizontal shell, a hub rotatable thereabout. a removable turntable mounted within the shell ad rotatable on the bottom position the two members.

thereof, an axle having a vertical eye pivot ally mounted on the turntable, and a pivotn ing member turntable.

2l. A horizontal thereabout, a within the shell and rotatable on the bottom thereof, an axle having a vertical eye pivotally mounted on the turntable, and a pivot` ing member positioning said eye on said turntable, and rotatable with the eye.

22. A horizontal positioning said eye on said shell, a hub rotatableshell, ahub rotatalolf-jl removable turntable mounted thereabout, a bearing member Within the shell and mounted on the bottom thereof, an axle having a vertical eye member pivotally mounted on the bearing member, a bearing connection between said members, a pivoting element extending through both of said members, external bearing' means on one en@ of said pivoting element, a bearing connee`- tion between said means and one 'of said members, andadju'stable retaining means on the other end of said element to talre up for Wearin said bearing connections.

23. A horizontal shell, a hub rotatable thereabout, a turntable Withinv the shell and mounted on the bottom thereof, an axle having a vertical eye pivotally mounted on the turntable, a bearing between said eye and turntable, a pivoting element extending through said turntable and said eye and rotatable with vthe eye, an external flange on the lower end of said pivoting element, a bearing between said flange and the under portion of the turntable, and adjustable retaining means on the upper end o l' the pivoting member to take up t'or wear in said bearings. 

